Author Topic: cb550 wobble on deceleration  (Read 3816 times)

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Offline 70CB750

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Re: cb550 wobble on deceleration
« Reply #25 on: November 23, 2015, 07:10:14 AM »
My mone is on the front tire.   Happened to me too, at the end of tire life span.
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Offline thebearded1

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Re: cb550 wobble on deceleration
« Reply #26 on: November 23, 2015, 09:02:31 AM »
The cold is finally settling in so tires will be on the way shortly just have to pick a set. Thanks for all the feedback.
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Offline Chachi

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Re: cb550 wobble on deceleration
« Reply #27 on: November 23, 2015, 01:21:58 PM »
Of the three CBs I've owned or had the chance to ride over a period of time... they all had some amount of front end shake when letting hands off on deceleration. I told a competent Honda tech about it once and he said 'well, don't take your hands off.' Fair enough.

That said, there are a lot of good suggestions here on how to attempt to remedy and it sounds like you've done some (swing arm rebuild, front bearings). When you change tires I would change out rear bearings if needed. There's always the head bearings, as mentioned, and a fork brace for other reasons. If you do all of those at once - tires, rear bearings and head bearings - you may never know what the cause was. And there's always the chance it may still be present. There's so many potential things. Rims and spokes, wheel truing and balancing might need to be on the list as well. I don't think it's a lost cause though. If it's a scary/significant shake I'm sure you'll get it resolved. If it's mild, maybe not. It's subjective as to how bad it is.

On my 750 I had the normal (what I call normal) front end shake on deceleration with hands off handlebar. I had my rims rebuilt with new spokes and trued along with new All Balls bearings front and rear - shake went away and bike just instantly 'felt better'. Did not change head bearings or swing arm bushings.

Check out Metzeler for tires. Many here, myself included, use the Lasertec. They come in standard stock size. Tread pattern is not too modern and they offer good performance. They also have a classic line that is available in some places. I haven't heard bad things about the K70s, but it is more designed for gravel road use vs. regular street. However, a friend of mine uses them and prefers them to the Metzeler Lasertec.

[And to clarify: 'Hands off handlebar' just means slightly off, still touching grips; not throwing hands in the air on decel.]
« Last Edit: November 23, 2015, 01:27:02 PM by Chachi »
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Offline thebearded1

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Re: cb550 wobble on deceleration
« Reply #28 on: November 23, 2015, 05:24:06 PM »
Haha look ma no hands!

Thanks for the suggestions. Sometimes it will wobble on accelaration too but if I put my head down and assume the takeoff position the wobble goes away. But it is always there on deceleration head up or chin on the tank.
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Offline tlbranth

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Re: cb550 wobble on deceleration
« Reply #29 on: November 23, 2015, 05:46:57 PM »
I have K70's on my 750 and I like them. I got them because they look pretty retro in that all British bikes in the 60's came with them from the factory. I drive like an old lady and they handle fine for me. They don't wear well though.
Regarding the wobble, Nobody has mentioned wheel alignment. The other possible causes mentioned are more likely, but threw it out there for the sake of completeness.
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